Several plastic grades saw major price increases at the beginning of 2025. Other key recyclables, including mixed paper, OCC and aluminum cans, held steady month over month.
The national average price of post-consumer natural HDPE from curbside collection programs moved up 24%, now at an average 82.38 cents per pound. This compares to 66.19 cents in December and 28.50 cents this time last year.
The national average price of post-consumer PET beverage bottles and jars moved up this month, now averaging 16.44 cents per pound, compared to 15.41 cents per pound this time last month. Regional contracts are now again yielding in the range of 17-19 cents per pound. One year ago this grade was trading at an average 11.47 cents per pound.
The national average price of color HDPE remains steady this month, still at an average 5.44 cents per pound, compared to 18.81 cents one year ago.
The national average price of post-consumer PP remains unchanged this month, at 9.06 cents per pound. PP was 4.94 cents one year ago.
The national average price for old corrugated containers, PS 11, remains steady at an average $73 per ton. OCC averaged $87 per ton this time last year.
Mixed paper, PS 54, is up $1, from $41 to $42 per ton. This compares to $48 per ton this time last year.
Sorted residential papers, PS 56, are down $3, now in the $60 per ton range. This compares to $60 per ton one year ago.
Sorted office papers, PS 37, remained steady at $117 per ton, compared to an average $132 per ton one year ago.
The national average price for sorted, baled aluminum used beverage cans is steady, trading at 86.88 cents per pound, unchanged from last month. It was 61 cents per pound this time last year.
The price for sorted, baled steel cans remains unchanged, trading in the $174 per ton range. Steel cans averaged $212 per ton one year ago.
The national average price of Grade A film is unchanged, at 18.13 cents per pound. It traded at 13.88 cents one year ago.
Grade B film is up marginally, rising from 7.63 to 7.75 cents.
Grade C film is at a nominal 0.63 cents per pound.
These prices are as reported on the Secondary Materials Pricing Index. This pricing represents what is being paid for post-consumer recyclable materials in a sorted, baled format, picked up at most major recycling centers.
For a free trial to SMP’s Online Post-Consumer Pricing Index, visit the Recycling Markets website, recyclingmarkets.net. You can also contact Christina Boulanger-Bosley at [email protected] or call 330-956-8911.